Governor Signs Avondale Liquor License, Pension Bills

Governor Rick Scott signed into law a slew of bills Friday, including one measure allowing the city of Jacksonville to extend a sales tax beyond its sunset date to shore up its indebted pension accounts. The law simply gives the city the ability to take the extension question to voters.

If approved by Jacksonville voters, the law would extend the Better Jacksonville tax from 2030 to 2060 and would also require all new firefighters and police officers enroll in private, 401k-style retirement plans. It would also mandate those new employees contribute at least 10 percent of their salaries to their retirement.

MORE | Read Gov. Rick Scott's letter below

In addition, the governor also approved a measure loosening liquor license requirements on restaurants in sections of the Avondale and Riverside neighborhoods. The law lowers a seating threshold from 150 to 100. Local restaurants were concerned that not selling spirits would make it harder for them to compete against larger chains.

Florida lawmakers are again descending on Tallahassee for another regular session of the Legislature, and some First Coast delegates are at the center of what promise to be some of the year’s most contentious debates.